Gov. Kitzhaber issues drought declaration for Jackson County

Jackson County has been added to an growing list of Oregon counties declared to be in a drought emergency by order of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Kitzhaber signed an executive order Tuesday at the request of Jackson County commissioners who asked for the declaration in March; the Oregon Drought Council approved the recommendation in April based on water conditions, long-range forecast and the effect on agriculture.

"Historic drought conditions continue in southern Oregon, and Jackson County is the latest to reach this critical point where we are threatened with water shortages and low streamflows later this year," Kitzhaber said in news release.

"We are working at the local, state, and federal levels to reduce threats to agriculture, recreation, and natural resources in the county."

The declaration allows increased flexibility in how water is managed to ensure that limited supplies are used efficiently. Kitzhaber's staff is also working with Oregon’s congressional delegation, state agencies, local governments and others to coordinate and mobilize efforts to provide some relief.

Kitzhaber’s declaration comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Agriculture designating six Oregon counties as natural disaster areas because of continued drought conditions.

Officials said U.S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that farmers in Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Harney, and Lane counties and in contiguous counties are eligible for assistance, including emergency loans, from the Farm Service Agency.